Friday, November 9th, 2007
I had the time to listen to a few prosperity “with a purpose” conference sermons. What caught my attention is how much time Wendell spent talking about the critics. I think this blog may be what he was talking about, unless I have an inflated view of my blog and he doesn’t know it exists…but I just don’t hear any other critics out there speaking up against the City Church’s false teachings about prosperity.
Wendell’s Straw Man
Pastor Wendell said those who oppose their teaching of prosperity “with a purpose” are really questioning their motives.
That is simply just not true (well, ignore the quotes above…I couldn’t resist). On my blog, I haven’t questioned their motives. I believe they are sincerely deceived, and they think they are doing God’s work. My contentions have to do with doctrine and scripture.
The Mormons are sincerely deceived and think they will become little gods when they die (well if you are a man that is). Many Jewish people are sincerely deceived and think by rejecting Jesus they are honoring God. Doing things sincerely does not make your doctrine correct.
Just like with Mormons, the prosperity gospel comes down to scripture, not motives. The bedrock of the prosperity gospel is Galatians 3:29. It is quoted often times by Pastor Wendell as a reason we should expect the promises of Abraham.
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
According to Pastor Wendell, this means you can put your name in the place of Abraham and receive all the promises given to him by God.
Unfortunately for Pastor Wendell’s theology, Paul thought of that interpretation and headed it off earlier in the same chapter.
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14
As partakers of the promise we get the Holy Spirit from God’s covenant with Abraham (not to mention a much better covenant with Christ). Notice how Paul said we might receive the PROMISE (singular). Not all the promises to Abraham.
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:16
Paul makes it abundantly clear that the PROMISES (plural) here are not to the seeds (us) but for one Christ. Paul is telling us that Christ received all the promises that were promised to Abraham, and we should not expect them because they were promised to one (JESUS CHRIST) and not many (US). We were not promised the stars in the sky, we are the stars in the sky promised to Jesus Christ.
When Pastor Wendell says to insert our name in the place of Abraham, we should be inserting the name above all names. We can’t take what belongs to Jesus.
Pretty simple little bible study.
Now, Pastor Wendell Smith and the City Church can do whatever they want with their money. I really don’t care (unless they want to give some to me).
Another straw man argument he used:
1. Critics think Christians should be poor. I don’t think that…I just think we should be content, not clamoring to “positioning ourselves for prosperity”.
2. We lack faith in a big God – I don’t lack faith, I think I can show more faith by doing what Jesus said and not seek after prosperity. Those are the things the heathen do according to Jesus.
So, if you wish to support your doctrine, it is better to do so with scripture and not straw man arguments. Straw man arguments by definition are deceptive. They are presented to deceive those who you wish to convince. If you can’t answer the questions posed by critics honestly, it is better to not be deceptive and ignore the critics altogether.
Tags: Abrahamic Covenant, Prosperity Gospel, Straw Man, Wendell Smith
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
I was listening to Pastor Wendell Smith’s sermon from 8/19/2007 titled “Get Out” and something he said caught my attention.
He starts the sermon espousing a common theme for prosperity gospel preachers, the covenant of Abraham. According to prosperity teachers, we are children of Abraham since he is the father of our faith (I agree with this). Since he is the father of our faith, they conclude we should be partakers of all the promises God made to Abraham. The scripture used is in Galatians 3.
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:9
Since we are blessed by believing Abraham, we should expect all the promises Abraham had right? Prosperity gospel preachers say we can expect to get all the promises God made to Abraham of wealth, lands, those who bless us will be blessed and those who curse us will be cursed, and through us all the nations of the earth will be blessed (thinking of money and the Gospel). Pastor Wendell says we should replace Abraham’s name with ours when we read the promises God made to him.
The major flaw in this interpretation of Galatians 3:9 is that it ignores the rest of the chapter. Let me see how Paul defines the blessings to us, and who can expect the rest of the blessings.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
This scripture defines exactly the blessing of Abraham we receive when we are in Christ Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. This is what we get through faith, not cars, not money, not houses, not the things of this world. We get something much more precious, the Almighty God dwelling within us. That is the wonderful gift given to us from our Father in heaven.
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ Galatians 3:15-16
From this scripture we can see the promises to Abraham are not to all the believers (seeds), they are to Christ Himself (seed). It is obvious that Christ is the seed that blesses the whole world, and we as Gentile believers are recipients of that blessing. That blessing is the finished work on the Cross of Christ.
Any attempt to claim all the other blessings from Abraham is a money grab fueled by covetousness. Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20 – why would we think the new covenant in Christ’s blood is not enough and like ungrateful children look back to Egypt for the comforts of the older and inferior covenants? Jesus fulfilled the promises to Abraham, are we to look for more? We received the Holy Spirit, greater than any earthly treasure…isn’t that enough?
Paul warned of another gospel in Galatians. The Galatians were looking to the old and inferior covenants of the Jews, and Paul was not happy. Isn’t the prosperity gospel just doing the same thing?
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:6-10
Paul said “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2. He never preached to look back to receive more from the old covenants. I believe he preached quite the contrary, the fulfillment of Christ.
We should be focuses on being in Christ Jesus, not trying to fulfill our earthly ambitions. Christ and His shed blood is all sufficient for us, we need no other covenant. More importantly, the scriptures tell us the blessing of Abraham is the Holy Spirit. We are not to look back through Genesis and attempt to put our name where Abraham’s is. We have a better covenant in Christ.
Tags: Abrahamic Covenant, Prosperity Gospel, The City Church, Wendell Smith
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